8 Best Ways to Fix Black Screen Issue on Windows Computer 2026

You might encounter a blank screen in Windows in these situations:

• Blank screen with a cursor : Often caused by a stalled Windows process or driver issue.

• Blank screen at login : May result from display output misconfiguration or corrupted user profiles.

• Blank screen after an update: Frequently linked to incompatible drivers or incomplete updates.

• Blank screen with a blinking cursor: This it's because the UEIF (or BIOS) cannot find a boot device.

Here's some basic steps you can try to fix blank screen problems in Windows:

• Check connections: Make sure your device is fully charged and/or plugged in. If you are using an external monitor, make sure the monitor is connected, plugged in, and powered on.

• Wake the screen: Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B to reset the graphics driver. You should hear a beep or see a screen flicker if successful.

• Check display mode: Press Windows + P, then tap P again and press Enter to cycle through display modes (e.g., PC screen only, duplicate, extend)

• Use Ctrl + Alt + Del : If you see the security screen, try launching Task Manager and restarting Windows Explorer.

• Force restart: Free the power button for 20 seconds.

Here's more advanced step-by-step for troubleshooting a blank screen in Windows:

1. Check Hardware Connections

• Ensure all cables (HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA) are securely connected.

• Try a different monitor or cable to rule out hardware issues.

• If using a laptop, disconnect external displays and peripherals

2. Boot into Safe Mode (if the screen remains blank)

• Force shutdown your PC by holding the power button for 10 seconds.

• Repeat this 2–3 times until Windows enters Recovery Mode.

• Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.

• Press F5 to boot into Safe Mode with Networking.

3. Update or Roll Back Graphics Drivers

• In Safe Mode, open Device Manager.

• Expand Display adapters, right-click your GPU, and choose Update driver.

• If the issue started after an update, select Roll back driver instead

4. Restart Windows Explorer (If you see a cursor on a blank screen)

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

• Find Windows Explorer, right-click it, and select Restart.

• If it’s not listed, go to File > Run new task, type explorer.exe, and press Enter

5. Perform a System Restore (If the issue began recently)

• Boot into Safe Mode or Recovery Mode.

• Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > System Restore.

• Choose a restore point from before the issue started

Conclusion

• A blank or black screen issue in Windows can occur due to multiple reasons, including display driver problems, incorrect display settings, hardware connection issues, or incomplete system updates.

• Identifying the situation in which the blank screen appears such as at startup, after login, or following a Windows update helps narrow down the root cause and apply the correct fix more efficiently.

• Basic troubleshooting steps like checking power and display connections, waking the screen using keyboard shortcuts, and switching display modes can often resolve the issue quickly without advanced intervention.

• When simple fixes do not work, advanced methods such as booting into Safe Mode, updating or rolling back graphics drivers, restarting Windows Explorer, or performing a system restore provide effective solutions for resolving persistent display problems.

• Regularly updating graphics drivers, using compatible display hardware, and completing Windows updates properly can help prevent blank or black screen issues in the future.

• By following a structured troubleshooting approach, users can safely restore normal display functionality and ensure a stable and reliable Windows experience.